||| ADRIFT by LIN MCNULTY, ORCASONIAN EDITOR |||
I have received almost daily emails from the Harris-Walz presidential campaign indicating the candidates want to meet me. They are even willing to pay for my airfare and a hotel room. I’m flattered, but there are some pretty compelling reasons why that it isn’t going to happen.
First of all, there is the simple fact of attempting to get to America — and then back home to Orcas Island — via ferry. If you are reading this from the island, then you understand my concern. Schedules are, shall we say, challenging and it would be so embarassing to text the campaign, if I do happen to get a reservation that will coincide with a pre-arranged mainland schedule, that my ferry is “delayed.” Just trying to coordinate my itinerary with their modus operandi would no doubt be nearly impossible — especially as I sit in a ferry line.
Then, there’s the wardrobe considerations. I’m not confident that a selection from my aged and limited closet offerings would be appropriate for whatever they have planned. Sweatpants and a t-shirt? That would just be rude to show up clad in my favorite outfit for some evening gala event that I’m sure they would have planned.
Oh, and I’m currently using a walker to get around. Another opportunity to impress the candidates, I’m sure, to slow down the festivities as I hobble around and try to keep up.
And it would certainly be challenging to maintain theOrcasonian website while off on some political kabortle that would, no doubt, only last 10 minutes at most with the two candidates.
For these reasons, and others I don’t need to mention, I am choosing not to respond to them, even though, bless their hearts, they keep trying. But it’s not like they have offered to pay my ferry fare, although they will take a photo to capture the moment.
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Thanks, Lin: You’re hardly “Adrift,” methinks!
Lin – I’ve got a better idea: invite Kamala and Tim to come visit us on Orcas. Even though we’re not exactly a swing state, it might give them a nice break from an otherwise restive world to enjoy the welcoming tranquility and neighborliness of our community; and, if they could get here, they might even give us some help fixing the ferries. Plus, you wouldn’t have to dress up, and it would give them a chance to dress down to their jeans and sweats. If we all responded, maybe they’d come–ya think?
PS – I like “Adrift.” One of my favorite parts of canoeing rivers, when I’m not in white water, is drifting down, sideways, backwards, ’round and ’round. Gives me a chance to dream and see the world from different angles–merrily, merrily…
❤️
Lin, while I regrettably concur with your decision to take a pass on the invite, please tell me what a “kabortle” is. (Does one kabort at such a happening?)
“Kabortle” is a word from “The Witch and the Roo” by Jan Loudin which was published by Paper Jam Publishing way back when I was still a part of Paper Jam. I love the word and use it wherever I can.
On what to wear: Standard Orcas uniform should be fine: Slippers, pajama bottoms, baggy t-shirt, a sleep mask on your forehead, and bed head.